Early voting is underway for the Dec. 13 statewide election to determine whether there will be highway and higher education bonds.

Without any reservations, we support both of these measures and feel they will be beneficial toward Arkansas. So readers will feel comfortable with the ballots when voting, we have included the following:

Ballot title for question one, which is the highway bond, is "Issuance of State of Arkansas Federal Highway Grant Anticipation and Tax Revenue Bonds and pledge of full faith and credit of the state of Arkansas."

The ballot then asks if Arkansas residents are for or against "authorizing the State Highway Commission to issue State of Arkansas Federal Highway Grant Anticipation and Tax Revenue Bonds provided that the total principal amount outstanding from the issuance of bonds, together with the total principal amount outstanding from the issuance of bonds pursuant to Arkansas Highway Financing Act of 1999, shall not, at any time, exceed five hundred seventy-five million dollars ($575,000,000), and the pledge of the full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas to further secure the bonds."

This measure regarding highway bonds would be beneficial for the Arkansas interstate system. The Highway Commission would have authority to issue bonds, which is not a new concept. It would allow the interstate system to be maintained on a regular basis. Saving us hit-or-miss repair cost in the future.

Ballot title for question two, which is the higher education bond, is "Issuance of State of Arkansas Higher Education General Obligation Bonds and pledge of full faith and credit of the State of Arkansas."

The ballot then asks if Arkansas residents are for or against "issuance of State of Arkansas Higher Education General Obligation Bonds and Pledge the Full Faith and credit of the State of Arkansas."

The measure is very important to education for Arkansas Tech University (ATU), higher education statewide and the state's economic development efforts.

Upon passage of the higher education bond, ATU would receive approximately $6 million to $7 million. This money will help build a needed classroom building. The money will also help ATU and other Arkansas colleges connect to the E-corridor also known as the National Lamdarail. The state will be able to have more access to and participate in national academic research projects. The bond would also help recruit more technology companies to Arkansas.